Search - Tony Rice :: Unit of Measure

An artist develops his voice, even after losing it

bluesreview | Arlington, VA USA | 11/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tony Rice's music has always been, above all else, expressive. His voice and his guitar seemed to mesh with a scary amount of ease for the amount of power they both carried. Either on "Pride of Man" calling as a holy beacon shouting warnings to the nations of sinful men, or on "A Good Woman's Love," singing the wistful, halcyon feelings of a man in love, Rice's voice was a bluegrass standard, and his guitar playing was fast and clean, but also inventive and full of emotion. Since his voice has failed him, his gutiar playing has picked up the slack. On Unit of Measure, he plays his heart out for all to see, playing both the role of bluegrass butt-kicker and tone poem champion. An equal mix of slow and fast, and of solo and ensemble songs, Unit of Measure really showcase Rice's imagination and his ability to bring out the best in others as well. When seeing him a few months back at the Birchmere, I was excited to see how much he played off of Vassar Clements. His love for fiddle players is all the more evident on this album, with Ricky Simpkins helping Tony connect with his muse. Without his voice, Tony Rice has continued developing his "spacegrass" by pushing any and all creative efforts into his guitar playing, and Unit of Measure is the next beautiful stage of this development, and a beatiful statement unto itself. Buy it, and spend an hour with it in a quiet room. You'll see that Tony can still sing with the best of them."

More great Rice music

John E. Dwyer | Louisville, Kentucky United States | 09/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is one song after the other of great jazzgrass from one of the masters. I normally don't write reviews, but I felt obligated this one time to say buy this album for Sally Goodin' if nothing else. I have heard plenty of Tony Rice(by himself and with others) and several different bands' cuts of Sally Goodin' and I have never heard better of either. Holy S*%t. That's all I have to say. It is unbelievable anyone can play that hard and that fast for over 8 minutes. The rest of the album is great also, but Sally Goodin', wow. That's all I'm gonna say."

Relaxing yet Enthralling Album!

James Wax | San Diego, CA | 04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It isn't often that I come across an album that can soothe as well as excite and amaze me. Everyone on the album shines. Rice uses just the right amount of technicality in his playing to keep me absorbed mentally yet allow me to relax and enjoy the music. I find this album even more exciting and adventurous than his similar 1979 album Manzanita. This whole CD is done without vocals, instead utilizing tons of solos by everyone! The tracks flow quite well together too. This album is probably best suited for any fan of Tony Rice, bluegrass, flat picking, and especially those who love intelligent bluegrass compositions without vocals."